WASHINGTON (BP) – Participants in an impromptu Oval Office prayer meeting have described the experience as "encouraging," "humbling" and in keeping with Scripture's command to pray for government leaders.

According to media reports, some 30 evangelical leaders were involved in the 10 gathering, which included laying hands on President Trump at the Resolute desk and prayers voiced by charismatic pastor Rodney Howard-Browne and immediate past Southern Baptist Convention president Ronnie Floyd. Read More

Author Eugene Peterson, known for "The Message" paraphrase of Scripture, has clarified his beliefs about homosexuality, stating he affirms "a biblical view of marriage" and would not perform a same-sex wedding. Read More

Curtis Cook, at each Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting he attends, gains renewed appreciation for a family of churches that can "lock arms together for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Read More

Formed in 1946 by the Southern Baptist Convention, and supported with Cooperative Program funds, Baptist Press (BP) is a daily (Monday-Friday) international news service. Operating from a central bureau in Nashville, Tenn., BP works with a large network of contributing writers, photographers and editorial providers to produce BP News.